Is the Duolingo English Test Acceptable to Get a Canadian Study Permit?

If you are planning to study in Canada, you may be wondering whether the Duolingo English Test (DET) is enough to support your study permit application. The answer is more complicated than simply saying “yes” or “no.”

The most important distinction is between university admission and immigration requirements. Many Canadian universities and colleges accept Duolingo for admission, but acceptance by a school does not automatically mean that the test is a mandatory or officially designated requirement for a Canadian study permit.

This distinction became especially important after the Student Direct Stream (SDS) ended on November 8, 2024. Understanding what your school requires, what your study-permit application requires, and what you may need later for a PGWP or permanent residence can help you avoid an expensive mistake.

Is Duolingo Accepted for a Canadian Study Permit?

For a standard Canadian study permit application, an English-language test such as Duolingo is generally not a mandatory IRCC requirement, but it may be a school-specific proof of English proficiency for admission.

Instead, your Canadian institution’s admission decision is an important part of the study-permit application.

This creates an important difference:

• University or college requirement: The institution decides which English tests it accepts for admission.
• Study permit: Immigration assesses the application separately.
• PGWP or PR: Separate language-test rules can apply later.

Therefore, a student should not assume that taking the DET automatically satisfies every Canadian immigration language requirement.

Why Is There So Much Confusion About Duolingo and Canada?

The confusion largely comes from mixing up school acceptance with immigration acceptance.

A university may accept your DET score and issue you a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). That does not mean the DET becomes a universal Canadian immigration test for every future application.

This distinction is particularly important because real applicants have reported different experiences.

For example, a discussion on r/ImmigrationCanada described an applicant who had been accepted by a Canadian university but had their study permit refused after the officer raised concerns about language requirements. The university had waived the applicant’s English-test requirement, so no language test had been submitted.

Other commenters in that discussion claimed that Duolingo was not sufficient proof for IRCC and recommended using a more established language test.

The lesson is not that every applicant must take IELTS. The lesson is that university admission and immigration assessment should not be treated as the same thing.

What Changed After November 8, 2024?

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was discontinued on November 8, 2024.

This is an important date when researching Duolingo and Canadian study permits because some older information about Canadian student applications was based on SDS rules.

The end of SDS means that applicants should be careful when reading older articles that describe SDS-specific language-test requirements.

For current applicants, it is better to separate:

1. The requirements of your Canadian school.
2. The requirements for your study-permit application.
3. The language requirements that may apply after graduation.

Does a Canadian University Accept Duolingo?

Yes. According to the competitor research, hundreds of Canadian colleges and universities list Duolingo as an accepted admission test.

One source cites 400+ Canadian institutions, while another mentions 140+ Canadian institutions and more than 100 other Canadian schools accepting DET.

Because these figures come from different sources and can change, they should not be treated as one exact national total.

What matters more is whether your specific institution and program accept the test.

Some institutions and programs may also have higher requirements for graduate, professional, nursing, education, or other specialized programs.

What DET Scores Do Canadian Universities Require?

There is no single Duolingo score that applies to every Canadian institution.

The competitor research shows that a common range is approximately 100–125, while some programs require higher scores.

Examples cited include:

University of Toronto

The reported DET requirement is 120.

University of Ottawa

The reported overall requirement is 120, with 120 in literacy also cited.

University of Waterloo

The reported overall score is 120, with 110 in literacy.

University of Alberta

The cited requirement is 120 overall, with a minimum 100 subscore.

McMaster University

The cited DET requirement is 120.

University of British Columbia

The cited requirement is 125.

York University

The cited requirement is 115.

University of Manitoba

The cited requirement is 110.

These numbers demonstrate why checking the exact program is essential. A score that works for one institution may not work for another.

What About Canadian Colleges?

DET acceptance is not limited to universities.

The competitor research gives these examples:

• Conestoga College: 105–115
• Seneca Polytechnic: 105 or 115
• George Brown College: 105
• Humber College: 105–115
• Fanshawe College: 100–110
• Centennial College: 105
• Algonquin College: 105 or 115

These figures are examples rather than a universal Canadian standard.

Your program, level of study, and institution can affect the required score.

How Much Does the Duolingo English Test Cost?

The competitor articles give several different DET prices.

The figures mentioned include:

• $70 USD
• $65
• about $59
• $49 USD

These differences show why an article should not present one of these historical figures as a guaranteed current price.

The major advantage repeatedly associated with DET is that it is generally less expensive than traditional testing options.

For comparison, one competitor gives an IELTS estimate of approximately $300–$350 CAD, while TOEFL is cited at around $250–$300 USD.

How Long Does the Duolingo Test Take?

The DET is considerably shorter than traditional English tests.

The competitor research states a test duration of approximately 60 minutes, or about 1 hour.

Results are commonly described as arriving within 24–48 hours, with one source specifically citing 48 hours.

This makes DET attractive for students who need a relatively quick result before an admission deadline.

How Long Is a Duolingo Score Valid?

The competitor research states that a DET score is valid for 2 years.

This is useful when planning your application because you do not necessarily need to take the test immediately before applying.

However, timing still matters. One competitor recommends taking the DET approximately 2–4 months before the school deadline, giving you time to retake the test or address an unexpected score.

Is Duolingo Better Than IELTS for Canada?

There is no universal answer.

DET can be attractive because it is approximately 1 hour, produces results in as little as 24–48 hours, and is generally cheaper than IELTS.

IELTS, however, is relevant to additional Canadian immigration pathways and is listed by CanadaSmarts alongside CELPIP General and PTE Core as an accepted English test for later immigration purposes.

The key point is that the “best” test depends on your entire Canadian plan, not just your university admission.

If your only objective is university admission and your institution accepts DET, it may be a convenient choice.

If you are thinking several years ahead about PGWP, Express Entry, or permanent residence, you should understand the separate language-test requirements for those pathways.

DET vs IELTS: The Important Difference

The competitor research gives approximate comparisons such as:

• DET 100–105 ≈ IELTS 6.0
• DET 110–115 ≈ IELTS 6.5
• DET 120–125 ≈ IELTS 7.0
• DET 130–135 ≈ IELTS 7.5
• DET 140–145 ≈ IELTS 8.0

These should be treated as approximate comparison figures, not as a promise that an immigration authority will automatically convert one score into another for every purpose.

The same research also cites:

• DET 85–95 ≈ CLB 5
• DET 100–110 ≈ CLB 7
• DET 120–130 ≈ CLB 9

Again, these comparisons should not be confused with an official statement that DET is interchangeable with every designated immigration test.

What About the Post-Graduation Work Permit?

This is where students need to be particularly careful.

Being accepted into a Canadian program with Duolingo does not mean that DET will necessarily satisfy language requirements for your later Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application.

The competitor research says that new PGWP language rules were introduced on November 1, 2024.

It cites:

• University graduates: CLB 7+
• College graduates: CLB 5+

For English, the tests identified by the competitor are:

• IELTS General Training
• CELPIP General
• PTE Core

For French, it lists:

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

This is one of the strongest reasons not to choose an English test solely because your university accepts it.

What About Permanent Residence?

The same issue applies to permanent residence.

Canadian immigration pathways such as Express Entry and provincial programs can have their own language-test requirements.

The competitor research specifically mentions pathways including:

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
• Federal Skilled Worker
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades

For future immigration applications, the required test may be different from the test you used to gain admission to your school.

Can Duolingo Help With the Study Permit Application?

It can be part of the overall picture when your institution accepted it for admission.

If your school accepted your DET score and issued an LOA, that demonstrates that you met the institution’s stated admission requirement.

However, do not interpret the LOA as a guarantee of study-permit approval.

A study permit application can involve other factors, and an immigration officer may assess whether your application demonstrates that you meet the relevant requirements.

This is why relying on a simple statement such as “my university accepts Duolingo, so IRCC must accept Duolingo” can be risky.

What Documents Should You Think About?

Your application should be prepared around the requirements applicable to your particular situation.

The competitor research emphasizes the importance of the school’s Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Depending on your circumstances, you should also carefully review the current application requirements rather than relying on an old SDS checklist.

The most important mistake to avoid is assuming that one English-test result controls every stage of your Canadian journey.

What If Your University Waived the English Requirement?

This situation deserves extra attention.

The Reddit example involved a university that had waived the applicant’s English-test requirement. The applicant subsequently faced a study-permit refusal involving language concerns.

That does not establish that every applicant with a waived university requirement will be refused.

However, it demonstrates why students should think carefully about whether the absence of a test could create questions during the immigration assessment.

If your school has waived the English requirement, you should understand exactly what the school has confirmed and how that fits into your complete study-permit application.

How Long Should You Plan for the DET?

The test itself takes only about 1 hour, and results can arrive within 24–48 hours.

But you should not leave it until the final days before your admission deadline.

The competitor research recommends taking DET approximately 2–4 months before the school deadline.

For preparation, one source estimates:

• 4–8 weeks of preparation when targeting DET 120+
• 8–12 weeks when your score is below 105

Your actual preparation time will depend on your current English ability and target score.

What If You Need a Higher DET Score?

A score of 120+ is repeatedly presented in the competitor research as a competitive target for many Canadian university applicants.

Some programs may ask for:

• 120
• 125
• 130+

Graduate and specialized programs can have particularly demanding requirements.

Therefore, instead of asking only, “Does Canada accept Duolingo?”, a better question is:

“What DET score does my exact Canadian program require?”

That question produces a much more useful answer.

How Does the Application Timeline Work?

A simple planning approach is:

Step 1: Choose your Canadian institution and program.

Step 2: Check whether the institution accepts DET.

Step 3: Confirm the exact minimum score, including any required subscores.

Step 4: Take the DET early enough to allow another attempt if necessary.

Step 5: Receive your Letter of Acceptance.

Step 6: Prepare your study-permit application according to the current requirements.

Step 7: Separately research future PGWP and PR language requirements if you plan to remain in Canada after graduation.

This approach prevents the common mistake of treating admission, study permits, and post-graduation immigration as one process.

What Are the Alternatives to Duolingo?

The competitor research identifies several alternatives.

For English, these include:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• CELPIP
• PTE Core

For French immigration pathways, the listed tests include:

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

IELTS is particularly notable because the research cites an undergraduate requirement around 6.5 as a common benchmark, although exact university and program requirements vary.

TOEFL is cited with a typical undergraduate requirement around 80, again depending on the institution.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Assuming University Acceptance Equals IRCC Approval

A university accepting DET does not automatically guarantee study-permit approval.

Using Old SDS Information

SDS ended on November 8, 2024. Older guides can therefore contain requirements that no longer apply to standard applications.

Checking Only the Overall Score

Some universities specify minimum subscores. For example, the competitor research cites University of Waterloo with 120 overall and 110 literacy, while University of Alberta is cited with 120 overall and 100 minimum subscore.

Forgetting About PGWP

A test that works for school admission may not be the test you need for a future PGWP application.

Treating Every Canadian School the Same

The research includes requirements ranging from around 100 to 125+, showing that DET requirements can vary significantly.

The Bottom Line: Is Duolingo Acceptable for a Canadian Study Permit?

Duolingo can be useful for Canadian students, but the answer depends on which stage you mean.

For school admission, many Canadian universities and colleges accept the Duolingo English Test, with competitor-reported requirements commonly falling around 100–125, although some programs require more.

For the Canadian study permit, the key issue is different. A DET score accepted by your school should not automatically be interpreted as a universal IRCC language-test requirement.

The end of SDS on November 8, 2024 also means applicants should be careful with older information.

Most importantly, think beyond admission. If your long-term plan includes a PGWP or permanent residence, separate language-test requirements may apply. The competitor research identifies IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and PTE Core for relevant English immigration purposes, rather than treating DET as a universal immigration test.

Quick Takeaway

If your Canadian university accepts DET, Duolingo may be a convenient option for admission.

But before relying on it, check three things:

• Your exact university and program’s DET requirement
• The current study-permit requirements for your situation
• The language-test requirements you may face later for PGWP or PR

The safest approach is to treat admission, study permit, and future immigration as three separate stages rather than assuming one English test covers everything.